The name LAN is composed of the initials of the three provinces the grapes are sourced from that make up the Rioja DOCa; La Rioja (formerly Longono), Alava, and Navarra. LAN has been making wine in Alta Rioja since 1972 with consistent quality and balance from sustainable and organic practices. This Gran Reserva aged 24 months in American and French oak and three years in a bottle before release, is classic Rioja. Made of 94% Tempranillo and 6% Mazuelo (Carignan) for acidity from the region’s signature chalk and clay soils. This produces wines with bold rich and sophisticated flavors. Famous premium producers of the region such as Marques de Murrieta, Muga, Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia, just to name a few, yield lavish prices for their wines. I bought LAN at Wine Exchange in Santa Ana for a steal at $25.
The color is a deep garnet with a ruby rim. On the nose, it’s highly intense with mature dark fruit of blackberries and cherries, stewed prunes and baked figs, spicy chutney, enveloped with toasted toffee, cracked pepper, and smoke. On the palate, It’s dry medium acid, high alcohol full body, ripe tannins, high intensity with red and blackberries, dried orange rind, black plum, roasted figs, mocha, vanilla, cedar, and cigar box. Displays heavy texture and a long finish. This is an outstanding wine that delivers velvety mouthfeel, layers of fruit, and structure between acid and tannin. There is a solid concentration on the mid-palate carrying an immediate perfumed bouquet ending with a clean polished finish. I would be curious to explore the rest of their portfolio.
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